Combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve

Abstract

A combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve configured for use with a fuel tank is disclosed including a sending unit rod having a first end and a second end defining a length and a plurality of sensors disposed along its length mounted to a valve body which includes a first valve port, including a receptacle and a valve seat, and a second valve port, mounted to the valve body, in fluid communication and defining an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall. An ullage float comprising a magnet is also slidably mounted on the sending unit rod between the first end and a sealing ledge on the valve seat so that the ullage float fits within the receptacle and valve seat in the valve body. It comprises a magnet configured to interact with the plurality of sensors to provide an indication of a level of fuel in the fuel tank.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve configured for use with a fuel tank comprising:
 a sending unit rod having a first end and a second end defining a length and a plurality of sensors disposed along the sending unit rod;   a fuel fill limit vent valve body including a first valve port and a second valve port in fluid communication and defining an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall, the first valve port including a receptacle and a valve seat, the second end of the sending unit rod mounted to the fuel fill limit vent valve body; and   an ullage float slidably mounted on the sending unit rod between the first end and the valve seat, the ullage float configured to fit within the receptacle of the fuel fill limit vent valve body and to contact the valve seat in the fuel fill limit vent valve body, and the ullage float including a sealing ledge that is configured to seal against the valve seat and terminate the fluid communication between the first valve port and the second valve port when the fuel tank is full during a refueling process, the ullage float comprising a magnet configured to interact with the plurality of sensors to provide an incremental visual indication of a level of fuel in the fuel tank and when the fuel tank is empty, wherein the combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve is configured to be accessed through a single access panel for maintenance of the combined fuel level sending unit and fuel level sending unit.   
     
     
         2 . The combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the sending unit rod is equal to an interior height of the fuel tank. 
     
     
         3 . The combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises resistors. 
     
     
         4 . The combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve of  claim 3 , wherein the sending unit rod comprises a wire configured to connect the combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve to a fuel gage. 
     
     
         5 . The combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of sensors are spaced along the length in increments corresponding to fuel level increments on the fuel gage. 
     
     
         6 . The combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve of  claim 5 , wherein the sending unit rod further comprises a circuit board comprising a plurality of sensors located at incremental fuel levels along the sending unit rod. 
     
     
         7 . The combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve of  claim 5 , wherein movement of the ullage float along the length of the sending unit rod changes a resistance reading that is transmitted to the fuel gage to change a fuel level reading on the fuel gage. 
     
     
         8 . The combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve of  claim 7 , wherein the fuel gage comprises a needle. 
     
     
         9 . The combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve of  claim 7 , wherein the fuel gage comprises a light emitting diode display. 
     
     
         10 . The combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve of  claim 1 , wherein the ullage float further comprises an internal surface adjacent to the sending unit rod and an external surface, wherein the magnet configured is located adjacent to the internal surface of the ullage float. 
     
     
         11 . The combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve of  claim 10 , wherein the magnet is ring-shaped and surrounds the sending unit rod. 
     
     
         12 . The combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve of  claim 10 , wherein the magnet is embedded in the ullage float. 
     
     
         13 . The combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve of  claim 10 , the ullage float comprising a plurality of magnets embedded in the ullage float. 
     
     
         14 . The combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve of  claim 10 , wherein the magnet comprises a magnetic coating. 
     
     
         15 . The combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve of  claim 10 , wherein a position of the magnet along the length of the sending unit rod corresponds to the level of fuel in the fuel tank. 
     
     
         16 . The combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve of  claim 15 , wherein the ullage float is configured to movably slide along the sending unit rod when an amount of fuel causes floatation lift in the fuel tank. 
     
     
         17 . The combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve of  claim 1 , wherein the ullage float is comprised of a fuel-resistant and non-swelling material selected from an elastomer and a rubber. 
     
     
         18 . The combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve of  claim 17 , wherein the fuel-resistant and non-swelling material is selected from the group consisting of a nitrile butadiene and a fluoropolymer elastomer. 
     
     
         19 . The combined fuel level sending unit and fuel fill limit vent valve of  claim 17 , wherein the fuel-resistant and non-swelling material is selected from the group consisting of a gas-filled nitrile butadiene and a gas-filled fluoropolymer elastomer.